Thursday, November 8, 2012

Leaf Garland

A couple of weeks ago, I posted some photos of fall leaves and wrote that I wished the season would last longer. It makes me a bit sad when all the leaves fall to the ground, colors fade, and the landscape suddenly looks solemn and exposed. I decided to gather as many leaves as I could carry, press them, and make a garland.

I don't know if there's an approved method of pressing leaves, but I just put them in a heavy book, two or three to a page, flip to the next chapter, and add some more. Once you're finished tucking all your leaves in, add several more heavy books on top to weigh it down. Check your leaves after one week, but you might have to leave them in there for another week until they're fully dry.

To make the garland, I just used mini clothespins from the craft store and some string. And now I have a happy autumn garland that took almost no time at all!

You could probably do the same thing with dried flowers or other botanical things. It's an easy way to bring nature inside year-round.

P.S. Dawn is organizing an ornament swap for anyone who wants to participate. The ornaments can be purchased ($10 max) or handmade, and vintage is cool too. It's going to be a lot of fun. I've already signed up, and you should too! Head over to Dawn's blog to find out the details. The cutoff date is November 11.

Actually, Dawn and I "met" online last year when we were paired up in an ornament swap organized by another blogger. So you never know what kind of friends and connections you'll make. :)

This looks fantasic! I really, really like it, and I think it looks marvelously festive. I wish the trees here still had some leaves. They're all gone now, though, washed away with the rain we had from Sandy. I can't wait to decorate for Christmas, though. My cold little apartment is going to need some holiday cheer.

And thank you for mentioning my swap here on the blog! I really appreciate it. I've gotten a lot of people who have been interested. The swap wouldn't be what it is without those who have joined and expressed interest and "advertised." So, again, Thank you. I'm really humbled.